“Here, turn around on your side—this way. Now see if you can’t crawl out backwards.”
Another crack of the tree drowned out the last of Ben’s suggestion. But Gilbert understood and turned over. Then Ben pulled upon his chum’s arm with all his strength.
“My—shirt—it’s caught in that branch!” gasped Gilbert. “See—if—you can—haul—it—back!” He could scarcely speak.
Ben had hold of the branch before Gilbert had finished. He twisted it back by main strength. Then he held it with one hand, and pulled upon Gilbert with the other.
At last the young captain was free. But the tree was coming down now, and a great mass of branches settled slowly over both of the young Americans, hiding them completely from view in the rain and darkness.
CHAPTER XXV
ON THE MARCH
The Japanese soldiers felt sure that both Gilbert and Ben had been crushed by the final sinking of the big tree, and they were much astonished to behold Ben crawling forth a minute later, dragging his chum with him.
“Are you hurt?” demanded the Japanese captain, as he ran up, for the danger from the monarch of the forest was now over.
“Only a few scratches,” was Ben’s answer.
“And your friend?”